Board member works to reinvent shuttered Williamsburg firehouse into arts & culture center

According to board member Evan Thies, the city tried to close the firehouse back in 1975, but the community rallied and kept it alive.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2020, 1:50 AM

Updated 1,687 days ago

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A firehouse in Williamsburg could see a second life with a totally new use after being shuttered back in 2003.
According to board member Evan Thies, the city tried to close the firehouse back in 1975, but the community rallied and kept it alive. Since then, the neighborhood has experienced rapid change and growth, but doesn't want to lose its essence.
"If there isn't a place for the community to gather, to have their own voice, then this neighborhood is going to end up looking like midtown instead of the arts and culture center that the world regards it as now," says Thies.
Thies says they not only want a home and office space for their community activism, but they also want a space for culture. Now, after a decade of working with the city, they're getting close to seeing their vision.
"Instead of seeing a garage with firetrucks, you'll see essentially a big white box that will look like a space for a concert or some sort of art installation," says Thies.
Thies says they're hoping to get a last bit of funding in June. As long as the funds and construction go as planned, they hope to open the community center in 2022.